Mechanical Engineer, Flight Termination System (Starship)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Mechanical Engineer for the Flight Termination System of an innovative spacecraft. This role offers the chance to design and develop critical hardware systems that ensure safety during launches. You will engage in hands-on work with explosives and collaborate with diverse teams to solve complex engineering challenges. With a commitment to high standards and rigorous testing, you'll play a vital role in advancing aerospace technology. This position not only promises exciting technical challenges but also offers a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for professional growth in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Sick leave

Long-term incentives

Discretionary bonuses

Qualifications

• 1+ years of mechanical design experience, including internships and projects.
• Strong interpersonal skills and enthusiasm for optimizing rocket production.

Responsibilities

• Develop explosive devices and robust hardware integration designs.
• Validate hardware reliability through rigorous testing and design experiments.

Skills

Mechanical Design

Problem Solving

Project Management

Collaborative Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

LSDYNA

ANSYS

BlastX

CHEETA

Hydrocode

Job description

MECHANICAL ENGINEER, FLIGHT TERMINATION SYSTEM (STARSHIP)

As a member of the Flight Termination System team, you will have the exciting opportunity to be responsible for the design of the Starship Flight Termination System hardware and explosives! You will demonstrate extreme ownership through deep understanding of the functionality, design, and requirements from concept to delivery of hardware. You will have ownership over the entire development process of Flight Termination System hardware including hardware design, analysis, production facility layout, electromechanical assembly, live ordnance assembly, environmental testing, and vehicle integration. As an extreme owner you will be responsible for interfacing with regulatory partners to implement, tailor, and challenge space industry regulatory requirements to achieve the best outcomes. Our development timelines are aggressive and the Flight Termination System is one of the few safety critical systems on the vehicle. The hardware that makes up the FTS requires extremely high levels of rigor and you will solve very challenging problems at the intersection of safety critical hardware and high explosives.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop state-of-the-art, manufacturable explosive devices and robust hardware integration designs (system controllers, electronic safe and arm devices, destruct charges, and integrated detonators) for the Starship and Super Heavy stage Flight Termination System. Question requirements, delete parts and processes, simplify/optimize, accelerate, and automate component deliveries.
• Validate reliability of hardware and designs with rigorous testing in shock, vibration, thermal cycling, climatic and live fire testing. Design experiments to ground analysis, develop fixturing, and create technical reports based on results.
• Partner with manufacturing, production, testing, and supply chain to achieve SpaceX’s highest-yet component build rate, striving for high factory yield and automotive volume/cost. Accelerate component delivery to >1 full stacked launch vehicle per month.
• Generate and maintain detailed drawings, component specifications, analysis and risk assessments.
• Spearhead root cause investigations that arise in development, production, test, integration and launch, implement corrective actions to prevent repeat failures.
• Set the standard for highly reliable component design and qualification testing to strict regulatory standards.
• Achieve zero in-flight anomalies of flight termination system components. Reduce component-caused production and launch delays, and minimize containments.
• Act as the chief engineer, collaborating with stage, avionics, and flight safety teams to arrive at the simplest solution for the vehicle. Inform system-level architecture, with component capabilities and vulnerabilities in mind, to minimize cost of payload to orbit.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of experience in mechanical design and/or hands-on manufacturing (internships and project teams qualify).

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, enthusiasm for problem solving, and desire to optimize modern rocket production and launch processes.
• 1+ years of experience designing and analyzing mechanical systems via professional work experience, project/research-based student experience, or a combination of both.
• Experience with LSDYNA/ANSYS, BlastX, CHEETA, and/or Hydrocode.
• Master's degree or 1+ years of professional experience in mechanical or aerospace engineering.
• Experience designing, building, testing and troubleshooting mechanical systems.
• Strong project management skills and effective communication of technical concepts across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Hands-on experience with high voltage, electronics, or explosives.
• Leadership experience on a project or research team.
• Experience using test instrumentation and control components (e.g. pressure transducers, thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors, relays, solenoid valves, etc.).
• Knowledge of electro-mechanical devices, actuators, motors, or explosives.
• Understanding of fundamental principles of explosives, solid mechanics, and dynamics.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Extended hours and weekend work may be required to support critical project and mission milestones.
• Must be willing to handle and test high explosive devices.
• Must be willing and able to obtain ATF explosives clearance.
• Must be willing to travel (< 25%).

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Level II: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.